Friday, July 22, 2011

For the past several weeks numerous public protests representing a variety of causes have taken place in Chile. This week alone, for instance, at least twenty students have gone on a hunger strike in order to seek reforms and improvements in the education system.

Among those who also protested in recent days are survivors of a deadly February 2010 earthquake and tidal wave. As we mentioned earlier this year, some residents in the affected Maule and Bio-Bio areas were disappointed at the perceived lack of government assistance and the slow pace of reconstruction.

The dissatisfaction came to a head in the town of Dichato that was nearly wiped out due to last year's tremor. As seen in the following video from a local TV network violence erupted between police and demonstrators several nights ago:

Negotiations between local officials and residents of Dichato are expected to continue this afternoon. In the meantime, clashes between authorities and protesters keep taking place in parts of Dichato.

* Venezuela: The OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin found that Venezuela has surpassed Saudi Arabia as the country with the highest proven oil reserves.

* Caribbean: According to a pair of cables released by WikiLeaks the U.S. and Haiti’s interim government were engaged in a diplomatic quarrel in 2006 while U.S. diplomats were aware of corruption allegations in the Dominican Republic’s top court.

* Nicaragua: President Daniel Ortega raised the possibility of a referendum to decide if Nicaragua should revive a multibillion-dollar claim against the U.S.

* Mexico: The World Trade Organization ruled in favor of Mexico over the U.S. as part of a two-decade long trade dispute over the safety of Mexican tuna.

Image – Reuters (“Oil facilities are seen on Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela's western state of Zulia March 1, 2008.”)Online Sources- UPI, Dominican Today, CNN, Reuters, MarketWatch

Thursday, July 21, 2011

A series of U.S. Department of Homeland Security ads aimed at preventing human trafficking will soon be airing domestically according to a CNN.com article. Viewers in parts of the U.S. will soon be able to see the same ads for the "Don't Be Fooled" campaign that have already aired in Central America and Mexico.

"We want to involve the American public in ending this abomination," said David Aguilar, deputy administrator of Customs and Border Protection, regarding human trafficking. Hence, the ads will air in states that are key immigrant destinations (e.g. Florida, Georgia, and Washington) where the issue of trafficking may not be as well known in comparison to border states.

Will the ads be as memorable as some federally-funded counternarcotics commercials like in the "This is Your Brain on Drugs" series of the 1990s? Or will the DHS series be ineffective like federally-funded anti-drug commercials (according to a 2006 Government Accountability Office report)? Check it out for yourself:

Image – The Globe and Mail (Peru’s main stock market index has been rising this week after he promised not to replace the Central Bank chief and he selected two business-friendly figures to his future Cabinet).Online Sources- Reuters, CNN, USA TODAY

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

* Chile: Medical examiners concluded that ex-President Salvador Allende committed suicide and was not murdered during a military coup in September 1973.

* Ecuador: Court proceedings began in an $80 million libel lawsuit pitting President Rafael Correa against editors at the El Universo newspaper.

* U.S.: Congressional ratification of free trade pacts with Colombia and Panama could be further delayed until September according to the White House.

* Uruguay: Two goals from Luis Suarez lifted Uruguay over Peru and into the Copa America finals.Video Source – YouTube via Al Jazeera English (The 37-year mystery into the death of Salvador Allende appears to have been finally solved after his corpse was exhumed and an autopsy was performed). Online Sources- BBC News, CNN, Reuters, USA TODAY

Monday, July 18, 2011

Preparations continue in Brazil in anticipation of the 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Plenty of obstacles persist including projects running behind schedule and the displacement of some favela slum residents.

An important tests of Rio's preparedness for the upcoming twin global sporting events comes this week with the fifth World Military Games (WMG). The video below shows some of the pomp and splendor of the opening ceremonies that took place on Saturday at the Joao Havelange Stadium. But as noted in this article by Xinhua, there have been numerous problems at the WMG related to security and media communications.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

This Monday marks the seventeenth anniversary of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) bombing in Buenos Aires, which cost the lives of 85 people and left hundreds injured. The target of the attack was a Jewish charities center located in the Argentine capital city and it's considered the worst terrorist attack in the South American country's history.

The Argentine government has blamed Iranian officials for the attack and Interpol has issued arrest warrants against several Iranian figures including Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi. Argentina's accusations are expected to be reiterated in a report to be issued later this week while Iran has repeatedly denied the charges.

"Anita" is a 2009 movie that centers on a girl with Down Syndrome who lived a happy life with her family until the day of the AMIA bombing. The titular character becomes estranged from her loved ones and wanders around Buenos Aires where she meets several colorful characters who try to help her out. Anita evolves into a more independent and mature person while also struggling with being split from her caring family.

Marcos Carnevale directed the film that was critically acclaimed and helped Leonor Manso win Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 edition of Argentina's top film awards.

Below is the trailer for "Anita", a very touching movie that highlights the pain felt by Argentines as a result of the AMIA bombing:

* Argentina: The Iranian government said that it would cooperate with an Argentine government probe into a 1994 Buenos Aires bombing allegedly masterminded by Iranian officials.

* Paraguay: The opposition-controlled legislature rejected a proposal that would’ve allowed President Fernando Lugo to run for reelection.

Image – AP via The Guardian (“Hugo Chavez has reassured the Venezuelan people that he is confident he will recover from his cancer.”)Online Sources- Reuters, Huffington Post, BBC News, Reporters Without Borders, Buenos Aires Herald, UPI, The Guardian, Bloomberg